WATERVILLE, Maine—Ticonic Gallery, part of Waterville Creates, is once again partnering with Colby Arts to celebrate Youth Art Month (YAM) with a multi-site exhibition at the Paul J. Schupf Art Center (93 Main Street, Waterville) and Greene Block + Studios (18 Main Street, Waterville). The program exhibits artwork by more than 300 K–12 students from 33 area schools.
The 12th annual YAM exhibition opens on March 1 and will remain on view at the two venues until March 30. Ticonic Gallery and Greene Block + Studios will host an opening reception from 4–7pm on March 13 as part of downtown Waterville’s Second Friday event (a departure from the usual First Friday this month). Last year’s YAM opening reception welcomed nearly a thousand visitors to the gallery spaces in a few hours.
This year, the exhibition will extend to the Maine Film Center lobby on the second floor of the Schupf Art Center, where students from the Mid-Maine Technical Center’s Mass Media Communications program will display their work for visitors.
During YAM, students of all ages have the opportunity to see their work displayed in a professional gallery setting. Works of all media—including painting, pottery, photography, digital art, sculpture, and more—are on view to an audience of thousands for the month.
Established in 1961, Youth Art Month is a national initiative spearheaded by the Council for Art Education and designed to emphasize the value of art education for all children and to encourage support for quality school art programs. This year’s YAM theme is “The World Needs Art.”
“This year marks our 12th anniversary celebrating arts education and the creativity of K–12 students,” said Marie Sugden, Waterville Creates’ exhibitions coordinator. “We are deeply grateful for our partnership with Colby Arts and the opportunity to present this multi-site exhibition together. We look forward to welcoming student artists and their families as they fill downtown for the opening celebration on March 13.”
The artwork of students K–5 will be on view in Ticonic Gallery in the Paul J. Schupf Art Center at 93 Main Street in Waterville. Students in grades 6–12 will have their work showcased at Greene Block + Studios, just down the street from Ticonic at 18 Main Street.
Ticonic Gallery is free and open to the public daily, 11am–6pm, except on Tuesdays and federal holidays. For the duration of Youth Art Month, Greene Block + Studios will also be open to the public Wednesdays–Mondays, 11am–6pm. For more information on YAM and future exhibitions, visit ticonic.org.
Youth Art Month is sponsored by the Harold Alfond Foundation, Kennebec Savings Bank, the City of Waterville, and the Colby Center for the Arts and Humanities.
Youth Art Month 2026 participating schools: Albert S. Hall School, Athens Community School, George J. Mitchell School, James H. Bean School, Kennebec Montessori School, Lincoln Elementary School, Madison Elementary School, Madison Junior Senior High School, Maine Arts Academy, Maranacook Middle School, Margaret Chase Smith Community School, Messalonskee High School, Messalonskee Middle School, Mid-Maine Technical Center, Mount Merici Academy, Mt. Vernon Elementary School, Readfield Elementary School, Reeds Brook Middle School, Samuel L. Wagner Middle School, Skowhegan Area High School, Skowhegan Area Middle School, St. Michael School, Sylvio J. Gilbert Elementary School, Temple Academy, Vassalboro Community School, Wagner Middle School, Waterville Alternative Program, Waterville Junior High School, Waterville Senior High School, Wayne Elementary School, Whitefield Elementary, Winslow High School, Winslow Jr. High.
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About Ticonic Gallery + Studios
Ticonic Gallery presents diverse year-round programming that incorporates local, regional, established, and emerging artists as part of gallery exhibitions and associated events. This arrangement of exhibitions allows for a broad representation of artists and media throughout the state of Maine and beyond. Ticonic Studios provide a safe and supportive environment for creative endeavors for all ages and levels of experience and offer a diverse array of educational experiences that enrich, engage, and inspire. Ticonic Gallery + Studios are located in the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, 93 Main Street, Waterville. Learn more at watervillecreates.org/ticonic, or follow Ticonic on Facebook and Instagram @ticonicgalleryandstudios.